After the turkey and the football and the shopping . . . when everyone’s just about worn out, bring the family to relax at the movies, with free admission and free popcorn. Co-sponsored by the towns of Boothbay and Southport, the Harbor Theater’s Free Family Movies are making holiday activities just a bit more accessible and affordable for everyone in the community. In October, Halloween was marked by a free screening of “Ghostbusters” (1984). For Thanksgiving, the Harbor Theater presents “Babe” (1995), rated G, 1 hour, 31 minutes. The free movie (with free popcorn) screens once at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26. There is plenty of time to enjoy the movie before you attend the Fire Truck parade and competition!

Gentle farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell) wins a piglet named Babe (Christine Cavanaugh) at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his fate as Christmas dinner when Farmer Hoggett decides to show him at the next fair, Babe bonds with motherly border collie Fly (Miriam Margolyes) and discovers that he too can herd sheep. But will the other farm animals, including Fly’s jealous husband Rex, accept a pig who doesn’t conform to the farm’s social hierarchy? Carrie Rickey, critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote "Babe is not, strictly speaking, a kid's movie. It is a preposterously funny fable that strikes a chord with adults, too." So don’t feel like you can’t come to the movie even if the grandkids aren’t visiting that weekend. Everyone is welcome!

Two weeks later, on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m., the free movie that day will be “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000), rated PG, 1 hour, 44 minutes. Directed by Ron Howard it is based on the book by Dr. Seuss and stars Jim Carrey. Wrote Glen Oliver, IGN Movies, this film is “sweet enough for the very young, edgy enough for teens, and world/pop culture savvy enough for adults.” 

In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children's tale by Dr. Seuss, the reclusive green Grinch (Carrey) decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his hapless dog, Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the bitter grump finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen).

We hope that families and groups of friends and neighbors from throughout the peninsula will all come take advantage of this holiday gift of free movies and free popcorn from the towns of Boothbay and Southport!